Exploring the Impact of ChatGPT on Student Interactions in Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning

TL;DR

This paper investigates how ChatGPT influences student interactions in a CSCL environment, highlighting its potential to enhance collaborative learning through an analysis of interaction patterns during group brainstorming.

Contribution

It provides an initial empirical analysis of ChatGPT's impact on student interactions in asynchronous collaborative learning settings.

Findings

ChatGPT alters student interaction patterns during group brainstorming.

Introduction of ChatGPT increases the frequency of question-answering exchanges.

The study validates the potential of ChatGPT to support collaborative learning environments.

Abstract

The growing popularity of generative AI, particularly ChatGPT, has sparked both enthusiasm and caution among practitioners and researchers in education. To effectively harness the full potential of ChatGPT in educational contexts, it is crucial to analyze its impact and suitability for different educational purposes. This paper takes an initial step in exploring the applicability of ChatGPT in a computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) environment. Using statistical analysis, we validate the shifts in student interactions during an asynchronous group brainstorming session by introducing ChatGPT as an instantaneous question-answering agent.